Context: The latest V-Dem Democracy Report has placed India’s Electoral Democracy Index score at its lowest level since 1975, continuing a decline observed since 2009.

About V-Dem’s Democracy Index:

What It Is?

• The Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Index is a global framework that measures democracy using a multidimensional approach, rather than treating democracy merely as the conduct of elections.
• It evaluates countries across dimensions such as electoral integrity, civil liberties, institutional autonomy, judicial accountability, freedom of expression and public administration.

Published By: Published by the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute, based at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Aim: To measure and compare different dimensions of democracy, track democratic progress or decline over time, and identify trends such as democratisation and autocratisation.

Key Findings on India:

• Lowest Since 1975: India’s latest Electoral Democracy Index score is its lowest since 1975, the year the Emergency was imposed.
• Autocratisation Trend: V-Dem identifies India among countries undergoing slow autocratisation, characterised by what it describes as a systematic weakening of democratic institutions.
• Institutional Indicators: Scores relating to judicial accountability, corruption, Election Management Body autonomy and impartial public administration are reportedly at their lowest levels in 50 years.
• Expression & Media: The report records deterioration in academic and cultural expression alongside increased harassment of journalists.
• Academic Freedom: Indicators covering academic expression, freedom to research and teach, and institutional autonomy have also declined.

Implications:

• Declining institutional autonomy may weaken public confidence in electoral, judicial and administrative institutions.
• Concerns over voter exclusion and election-management autonomy raise questions about free, fair and inclusive elections.
• Highlights the importance of safeguarding constitutional checks and balances, institutional independence, electoral inclusion and freedom of expression.

Relevance in UPSC Examination:

• GS Paper II – Polity & Governance: Indian Constitution, democratic institutions, electoral reforms, Election Commission, separation of powers, judicial independence, transparency and accountability.
• GS Paper II – International Relations: International institutions and global assessments concerning democracy and human rights.
• GS Paper IV – Ethics: Institutional integrity, impartiality, accountability, objectivity and ethical governance.
• Essay: Democracy, institutional independence, constitutionalism, freedom of expression and democratic accountability.